Fire-escape



(No Model.)

VJ. MDAVIS.

PIRE ESCAPE.

Patentedmv. 6, 1883. y 75g z YL,

N. PETEls, Phulvuxhumpher. Wuming n.6

JEFFREY M. DAVIS, OF YOUNGSTOVN, OHIO.

FIREQESCAPE.

SPEGIFICATIN forming part of Letters Patent No. 287,910, dated November 6, 1883.

v' Application filed May 2Q, 1883. K (No model.)

l citizen of the'United States,residing at Youngsunder the rail.

town, in the county of Mahoning and State of Ohio, have invented certain new ,and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes, of which the following isa specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an improvement in nre-escapes; andit consists in the combination of a fire-proof folding basketwith a guide or way which is secured to the front of the building, suitable supporting-ropes by means of which the basket is raised and lowered, the" pulleys over which the ropepasses, and a suitable means for moving the basket back and forth in front of the building, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The accompanying drawings represent my invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the devices as applied to a building. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the basket open. Fig. 3 is an end view of the same closed. Fig. 4 is a top plan View. Fig. 5 `is a detail view, showing the swiveled pulley.

A represents a rail or rope extending from one side of a building to the other, supported by'brackets under vthe cornice. On the rail run two pulleys, Z1 b', connectedby a plate, c, .A tthe under side of the plate o is a swiveled pulley, d, and inthe downwardbent ends of the plate are fastened the ends of a wire rope, e, that extend downward from both its sides. l

B represents an oblong basket composed of two parts, hinged on the sides at the middle, so that the parts can be folded together when not in use. The basket is made of incombustible material, woven or interlaced to gain strength for carrying several persons at the same time, and deep enough to protect them from the flames whenseated therein. At the bottom ofthe basket,where the two parts meet when opened, is a catch that holds the/parts together, by which the bottom is made as rigid as it would be if made of one piece. At both ends of the basket are guides j', through which passes the wire rope e, the upper ends of which are attached to the plate c. The loose remaining parts of the ropes ef'under the basket are rolled on a light roller, g, to enable one person to guide the basket, and the rope should be long enough that in case of great heat in front of the building the person holding it may stand at a safe distance. On the roller gis a loop for a pointed stake to pass through,which stake may be used, when stuck in the ground, to assist in steadying or holding the basket. At the iniddle of the basket, extending from side to side, is a rod, 11 with an eye at its center, and to this one end of a wire rope, K, is secured. This rope K, after passing from the basket' upward over the swiveled pulley d,

reaches back to the ground, and is the means by which the basket is raised or lowered while guided by the ropes e, and is shifted or drawn sidewise from one window to another wherever dit maybe wanted.

Then not in use, the basket is folded together, inclosing the pending end of the rope K, and moved toward the corner of the front of the building or other suitable place, where a pin projects from the wall, and under it, at a proper distance, is hinged a false bottom, a, ofthe size andl form of one-half the bottom of the basket. On the projecting pin, of which the outer end is slightly bent, the basket is sidewise suspended. The roller g, around which 'the loose portion of the rope e is to be wound, is placed in notches under the basket and the hinged false rbottom raised. -The pointed end of the stake is braced against the wall,and its upper end, with a hole through it, brought forward under the falsebottom. lVh en in this position the basket, ropes, and stake are locked together and held by a padlock, to prevent irresponsible persons from interfering with the fire-escape.

It will be readily understood from the foregoing ,that as long as the walls of a burning building remain standing the basket can be brought to any window to assist in the escape of persons that may have remained in the building.

-Having thus described my invention, I claim-n 1. In a fire-escape, the folding basket B, substantially as described.

2. The folding basket B, in combination with the rope e, plate c, pulleys I) b', swiveled pulley d, rope K, and rail A, substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination of the folding basket IOC With ahook which is made to catch in its side, y in its edges, with the rollerg, provided with and the sharp-pronged support which supports a holding1 or/steadying device, and the ropes e, the basket from the under side, substantially substantiallyV as shown and described.

as set forth. In testimony whereof I affix my signature in 4. The combination of the folding` basket B presence of two Witnesses. with the Uuidesf ropes e rod h and a rope K, Whichbpasses up over the swiveled pullegr JEFFREY M' DAVIS' d, substantially as shown. Witnesses:

5. The combination of the folding basket, GRIFFITH T. WILLIAMs, 1o provided with suitable notches or recesses, z', EDWARD RITTER. 

